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News in Brief; Northern Ireland: Five human rights organisations welcome McBride ruling

01 June 2003

Five human rights organisations have today welcomed the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal's judgment in respect
of the murder of Peter McBride in 1992. The McBride family have for years been challenging the decision by the
army to continue to employ Guardsmen Fisher and Wright even though they had been convicted of Mr. McBride's
murder.

The Court of Appeal today found that the reasons given by the army for the retention of Fisher and Wright did not
amount to the "exceptional reasons" required under Queen's regulations dealing with soldiers convicted of criminal
offences. As a result of this judgment the Army Board will have to reconsider the case yet again.

A spokesperson for Amnesty International, British Irish Rights Watch, the Committee on the Administration of
Justice, the Pat Finucane Centre and Liberty said:-

"It is clear that in deciding not to discharge Guardsmen Fisher and Wright, the army has thus far failed to
recognise the gravity of the human rights violation which they committed. The decision to "exceptionally"
retain the two soldiers in the armed forces has fostered impunity and undermined effective redress for the
victim's family."

For further information contact:

Amnesty International Press Office: 0207 413 5566
British Irish Rights Watch: 0208 772 9161
Committee on the Administration of Justice: 028 90 961122
Pat Finucane Centre: tel. 07989 323418
Liberty Press Office: 0207 378 3656 .